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PM covers a broad spectrum of issues relevant to all sections of Australia's geographically and culturally diverse community. It looks behind political, economic, industrial, business, social, cultural, rural, regional and arts stories. Below is the program summary with links to transcripts and audio (if available).

Govt attacks Labor IR tactics

The Coaltion Government has now launched a full scale attack on the Opposition Leader and his knowledge of his wife's business affairs. The Office of Workplace Services is still investigating one of Therese Rein's companies, after she admitted she hadn't properly compensated some 58 employees who'd traded away some entitlements.

Anti-whales confident ban will stay

On the eve of the International Whaling Commission meeting in Alaska, the anti-whaling bloc is breathing a big sigh of relief. After feverish recruiting by both sides, the anti-whaling nations look as if they've got the numbers edge. They're now confident they can maintain the international ban on commercial whaling despite Japan's attempts to overturn it.

$1b in aid not reaching needy

An independent watchdog claims one in every three taxpayer dollars Australia spends on overseas aid does not directly help alleviate poverty. With the Federal Government allocating a record three billion dollars this financial year, AID/WATCH says the aid budget's being inflated by a billion dollars, makes Australia look more generous than it is.

Japanese PM struggles to maintain majority

Lobbyists propose free market solution to water crisis

For years, Governments have been telling Australians to save water, and most of us have responded. But now an infrastructure lobby group is saying that our relative thrift is strangling what ought to be a thriving market which would do a better job of providing long term water security.

Iraq policy shift unlikely, adviser warns

A former top adviser to George W. Bush is warning Australian policy makers not to expect that a major change in direction in Iraq in the near future. Dr Green says that Australia should not be misled by the robust US political debate on Iraq, because whoever wins the White House in 2008 will be unlikely to make a major policy shift.

US troops free al-Qaeda prisoners

American troops raid an al-Qaeda prison in Diyala province, freeing 42 captives. The region experienced an upsurge in violence recently, as insurgents move in from Baghdad and the neighbouring Anbar province. Analysts believe US officials are actively examining 'concepts' to reduce troop numbers in Iraq.

Airline antics land Australians in crowded prison

Two Australians arrested for drunkenness and sexual harassment of airline staff, on a flight from Australia are eating camel meat and facing the lash. The lawyer for the Australians has painted a grim picture of life inside Al Wathba prison in the United Arab Emirates.

Investor questions Mac Bank strategy

The investor who first predicted the collapse of Enron has turned his sights on the Macquarie Bank. The US hedge fund manager Jim Chanos told a conference in New York that Macquarie Bank paid too much for assets and flipped those assets into entities funded by other investors. And he said Macquarie's model only worked in a world of cheap credit and asset inflation.